Day 2 of traveling found us back at the Dubai Airport to catch our flight to Addis Ababa.  The German National volleyball team was on our shuttle from the hotel to the airport.  

I was reminded how sports are truly international when it was easy to start a friendly conversation with the volleyball player sitting closest to me.  Her English was excellent and made we wish I was able to speak more than one language.

She asked what team we were on.  I said we all play different sports at the same university.   We then asked the volleyball team to cheer ‘Go Beavers’ and recorded it on our FlipCam! 

Julie Sattler (soccer) and Josh Andrews (football) passing time in the Dubai airport.

Many of us were in search of a wireless connection while at the airport.  It was a bit of a struggle to successfully connect and we spent some time walking around the airport to find the best hotspot.  

I was particularly anxious to get online to let family and friends know we had arrived safely in Dubai, check my email about a potential internship and post a blog update.  

A couple of the student-athletes brought their phones with them, but I decided to leave mine at home.  I’ve realized how reliant I am on my iPhone and the internet after only one day away from both.  

I was happy to get a one hour internet fix using the free WiFi while we waited to board. Others who left all their electronics at home also used the iPad to check in with family and friends and look at their spring term grades. 

We filled out the entry forms for Ethiopia including our personal information, visa number and type and final destination.  I’m a bit anxious for customs once we arrive in Addis Ababa because we were given a letter to present explaining our situation if are questioned about our purpose.   

When we boarded the plane the flight attendant asked, “Is it orange day?” I said, “Yes! Well actually, orange and black are the colors of our school.” But I do feel that pretty much everyday is orange day for student athletes because we get so much nice team apparel.  

Here's volleyball player Martie Massey with her completed bracelet.

Gill (crew) had the great idea to bring bracelet making materials for the trip. Now we all have fun bracelets in different styles and colors that we made during the flight. The bracelets made me think of how it’s only been two days and already I feel so much closer with all the student-athletes on the trip. I can’t imagine what it will be like once we’re on the way back home ten days from now.  

GO BEAVS!

About Stephanie McGregor

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I can’t believe we’re finally on our way to Ethiopia! The past week has been a whirlwind of finals, some gymnastics practice, graduation ceremonies and celebrations and of course preparing and packing for the trip. Luckily, I started to pack early (unlike some of the other student athletes haha) so that I had time to attend numerous graduation celebrations over the past few days and say goodbyes.

I’ve developed a lot of special friendships here at OSU so some of the goodbyes were especially hard to make as friends graduate and move on to bright futures. Four years really has flown by and I’m looking forward to completing my final year of eligibility next year.  

A few of our team members are flying out after us because the graduation date was moved a day later to accommodate guest speaker Michelle Obama.  We’ll be traveling west while they’ll fly east on Tuesday. You know a place is far, far away when you can travel either way around the globe to get there.

All the questions about our trip from friends, family and even strangers have really built my excitement and anticipation as our departure day arrived. For example, after picking up the team members in Corvallis today we made a morning stop at Starbucks where the friendly barista asked, “Any exciting plans for today?” I quickly replied, “Yes! We’re leaving town for Ethiopia!”

It’s definitely not everyday you can say that to someone.  I’ve been reminded to take tons of pictures so I will be making that a priority and try to post some of them regularly with this blog or else once I return home.

We’re flying out of Seattle all the way to Dubai.  That’s a 14 hour flight! I’ve never been a on a flight longer than 5 hours so that will be the first of many completely new experiences on this trip.  I’m trying to figure out the best way to adjust to the time change whether that means staying up during the flight or trying to sleep.

I’ve brought ‘Cutting for Stone’ a national bestseller set in the capital of Ethiopia, along with some magazines and my iPod to pass the time.  The novel is required reading for the one credit international eirtxperience summer class we’re enrolled in but I think it’ll be a perfect read for the trip.  I’ve been advised to make sure I get up to stretch at least every couple of hours. I’ll make sure I do that because 14 hours is certainly a long time. Once we arrive in Dubai we’re spending the night in a hotel and then getting back on a plane to fly into Addis Ababa.  From there it’s a two hour drive south to arrive in Silte, Ethiopia where we will be building the houses and spending the majority of trip.

The radio was on in the van as we drove up to Seattle and just as we exited the freeway for the Seattle airport the song ‘Africa’ by Toto came on. We all freaked out a little bit and decided it couldn’t have been just a coincidence. I think it’s a sign this trip will be amazing and potentially life changing. We’re about to board the plane so there’s absolutely no turning back now.

GO BEAVS!

About Stephanie McGregor

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This weekend a group of student-athletes from Oregon State will travel to Ethiopia to build homes for two families. Their trip is the fourth of its kind for the Beavers who have dubbed the experience “Beavers Without Borders.”

Stephanie McGregor, a fifth-year gymnast, will document her experiences through this blog.

Check out this video to preview the trip.
 

About Marta Lawrence

Marta Lawrence is the associate director of digital communications at the NCAA.

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